Document 2370
 DOCN  M94A2370
 TI    AIDS orphans.
 DT    9412
 AU    Kusimba J; Plummer F; Ndinya-Achola J; Moses S; Fish D; Kimani G; Njenga
       S; Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):32 (abstract no. 100B/D). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370205
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To identify problems that AIDS orphaned children are facing.
       METHODS: A random sample of pregnant women who went to deliver in a
       maternity hospital in kenya was obtained for pediatric AIDS study since
       1986. Pre-test counselling was done and their blood and cord blood was
       drawn at delivery for HIV testing. After post-test counselling next day,
       they were asked to visit the clinic two weeks later and thereafter for
       continued medical care for themselves and their children. Interview
       schedule as well as in-depth interviews were administered to 246 HIV +ve
       and 160 HIV -ve negative women who visited the clinic from October 1991.
       Observation was made during home visits. Descriptive statistics were
       used in the analysis. RESULTS: By the end of 1993, 16(6.5%) HIV +ve
       women and their 20(8.1%) partners were deceased. There were 85 orphans
       out of which 18(21%) are double from six deceased couples. 13(15%) were
       from mothers who were abandoned by their spouses at the time of full
       blown AIDS. 16(19%) were cared for by maternal relatives, 39(46%) by
       widows and 17(20%) by aging parents without any source of income and
       therefore cannot cater adequately for basic needs including food and
       education. Three (3.5%) orphans whose parents were known to have died of
       AIDS by the community were ostracized. Two of those confirmed HIV +ve
       and were taken to a home for HIV +ve abandoned and AIDS orphaned
       children. One who was confirmed HIV -ve was cared for by an aging
       grandparent. CONCLUSIONS: AIDS orphans are likely to suffer ostracism
       especially when the extended family members and the community at large
       know that parents have died of AIDS. Those who are looked after by
       either widows or aging grandparents are disadvantaged in many ways
       including schooling and nutrition. AIDS orphaned children deserve
       priority in terms of schooling, training and job opportunities.
 DE    Child  *Child Welfare  Female  Human  HIV Seropositivity/*MORTALITY
       Kenya  Male  Pregnancy  Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/*MORTALITY
       Prejudice  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).